AC oil leak
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Prince Rupert BC
AC oil leak
Hi I'm new to the forum but I'm already looking for help. I have found a small oil leak coming from my ac compressor. Does this mean a replacement is needed or is there a simple fix. It still seems to work ok, but I don't know for how long. Any suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
What color is the oil? If in fact you are loosing refrigerant oil, you are also loosing refrigerant and the system will soon stop working.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Prince Rupert BC
Thanks for the responses to my question. Yes there is a slow drip of clean light colored oil coming from the bottom of the compressor. Sounds like a winter replacement project. At least it made it through the summer driving season. (its snowing today)
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I'm surprised your AC is still cold. If you can get hold of a gauge set, check to see what the pressures are (low side and high side) then compare them to the chart in the C5 manual. I suspect your already on fumes.
I've had two DELCO case seals fail so am good at this. Spend the extra cash on a NEW DELCO compressor, not a rebuild (been there). Before installing the new compressor, make sure the bracket mounting surfaces and the compressor mounting surfaces are not bent or twisted. They should all be flat or bolting the compressor to the bracket will put stress on the case.
If it were mine I'd run the AC as little as possible until you get the compressor replaced. As the oil runs out friction goes up and there is a risk something could start to break up and send shrapnel through your entire AC system. Not impossible to fix but it means a lot more work flushing and you can never get all of it out....
I've had two DELCO case seals fail so am good at this. Spend the extra cash on a NEW DELCO compressor, not a rebuild (been there). Before installing the new compressor, make sure the bracket mounting surfaces and the compressor mounting surfaces are not bent or twisted. They should all be flat or bolting the compressor to the bracket will put stress on the case.
If it were mine I'd run the AC as little as possible until you get the compressor replaced. As the oil runs out friction goes up and there is a risk something could start to break up and send shrapnel through your entire AC system. Not impossible to fix but it means a lot more work flushing and you can never get all of it out....
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Expect it to total over $1000 if the dealer does it. If you do it yourself it can be done for half that (assuming you can borrow or rent a vacuum pump and gauges.)
I tried to do it the first time a cheaply as possible and got a bad rebuild. It was noisy from the first moment I engaged the clutch. It started leaking after about two years. The second time I did it I replaced all the seals and capillary tube along with the compressor (EDIT: I also replaced the drier). I also hand flushed the entire system and cleaned the road debris out of the condenser. It's been three years and it's cold and tight.
If you do it yourself realize it is involved and requires specialized equipment. Make sure you do your homework before you start. There is a great write-up on this forum that I followed to the letter the second time. I'll see if I can find it.
I tried to do it the first time a cheaply as possible and got a bad rebuild. It was noisy from the first moment I engaged the clutch. It started leaking after about two years. The second time I did it I replaced all the seals and capillary tube along with the compressor (EDIT: I also replaced the drier). I also hand flushed the entire system and cleaned the road debris out of the condenser. It's been three years and it's cold and tight.
If you do it yourself realize it is involved and requires specialized equipment. Make sure you do your homework before you start. There is a great write-up on this forum that I followed to the letter the second time. I'll see if I can find it.
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Dec 3, 2010 at 12:32 PM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
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From: Prince Rupert BC
Keivn
I don't have a total yet but will let you know when I done. I will be doing my own work so will just be parts, etc. and I'm in Canada so prices my be a bit higher. so far a new compressor is around $600. (rebuilt is less than half, but I have been not to go that way) Ron
I don't have a total yet but will let you know when I done. I will be doing my own work so will just be parts, etc. and I'm in Canada so prices my be a bit higher. so far a new compressor is around $600. (rebuilt is less than half, but I have been not to go that way) Ron
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
You guys should be able to find a new compressor for less than $600. Dig around a little. I found mine on eBay for $350 Buy-it-Now from a reputable seller. That though, was nearly 4 years ago and may have been a fortunate fluke. I think this compressor may be interchangeable with some other GM cars but not sure. Maybe someone else on the forum knows?
Edit: I found the excellent compressor write-up I used by going into the DIY sticky at the top of the forum. It was written by RoccoC5 and it's excellent! Look here:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-write-up.html (I sent a PM to Rocco about the broken link.)
Edit: I found the excellent compressor write-up I used by going into the DIY sticky at the top of the forum. It was written by RoccoC5 and it's excellent! Look here:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-write-up.html (I sent a PM to Rocco about the broken link.)
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Dec 1, 2010 at 11:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Valrico FL
I agree with crate....stop running your A\C immediately! If the comp locks up for some reason, debris will get all through the A\C lines and then its a HUGE headache to flush and clean especially since some may remain there and could hurt the new compressor!
Odds are that it won't lock up and the oil leak is just a sign that the seals are going but if it were me, I wouldn't take the chance as it doesn't take but the tiniest of fragments to block the expanison valve or get lodged in the evaporator and cause problems later.
Not sure how the Vette system is setup as I haven't had the A\C on it apart before but if its like others makes sure to change the receiver dryer.
And to evactuate the system you can get one of those Venturi style vacuums that work off compressed air. $75 at NAPA or $20 at Harbor Freight. Believe it or not they actually work very well as I have gotten all the other systems I have had apart down to very low Hg.
Good luck!
Mike
Odds are that it won't lock up and the oil leak is just a sign that the seals are going but if it were me, I wouldn't take the chance as it doesn't take but the tiniest of fragments to block the expanison valve or get lodged in the evaporator and cause problems later.
Not sure how the Vette system is setup as I haven't had the A\C on it apart before but if its like others makes sure to change the receiver dryer.
And to evactuate the system you can get one of those Venturi style vacuums that work off compressed air. $75 at NAPA or $20 at Harbor Freight. Believe it or not they actually work very well as I have gotten all the other systems I have had apart down to very low Hg.
Good luck!
Mike
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Aurora Colorado
So I'm not in a big rush to get my AC working but would like to drive the car weather permittimng. Heat would be a good thing, is it ok to unplug the compressor and run the heat while shopping around?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
You could unplug the compressor and wrap the harness connector to protect it from crud but it might throw a code due to open circuit. Not sure. Another option is to remove the AC belt. The only thing the belt turns is the compressor. If the belt is old just cut it off with a sharp knife. You'll be replacing it with the new compressor, right?
